New Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed his pain at leaving Manchester United but vowed to impose his authority on the Foxes.
The former Red Devils striker replaced Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium on Friday, signing a contract until 2027.
It comes after a four-game spell as caretaker manager at Old Trafford, following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, before leaving when Ruben Amorim was appointed last month.
Van Nistelrooy, hired by Ten Hag as assistant manager in July, oversaw three wins and a draw during his four games in charge of United and was initially upset by his departure.
“At the time I took the interim job, I said I was here to help United and I would stay to help United, and I meant it. So I was very disappointed and it hurt me to leave.” said.
“In the end I understood it because I also understand the new coach. I’ve been in football for a long time and I managed on my own. I understand it.
“I talked to Rubén about it, it’s fair to him, the conversation was grateful, man to man, person to person, manager to manager. That helped [me] There is a lot to move forward and engage in conversations with new possibilities, which of course lifted my spirits.”
Van Nistelrooy inherits a team that struggled to bond with Cooper and came under fire following last week’s Christmas party trip to Copenhagen, with players told their behavior was unacceptable.
He says he reviewed his characters before taking on the role and believes players should respect his authority.
“It’s the only way to work,” said the Dutchman. “It’s mutual respect. Yesterday I also mentioned to the players that I looked at the team and started making phone calls about the players, because in football everyone knows each other.
“With two or three phone calls you hear stories about 20 players and for me it was important that you hear that there are good characters there. That’s important, that there are good people there.
“I watch the players and how they play. Obviously I don’t know them, but I have general information… that they are a good group of people.”
